How about a family Reunion?

Our very own Jo-Ann and Michael Held went to Munich and Reunion Island, pictured.

Our very own Jo-Ann and Michael Held went to Munich and Reunion Island, pictured.

Published Oct 24, 2014

Share

Saint-Denis - Planning a holiday to a beautiful island? Reunion Island wants South Africans to consider it before holidaying at more popular islands.

The small island, a French colony, is working hard to build its reputation as a premier holiday destination like the Seychelles and Mauritius. Last week, representatives from the Reunion government were in the country on their first official visit. Topping their agenda has been selling tourism.

The island has 850 000 inhabitants. Reunion Island Tourism president Patrick Serveaux says this makes it a perfect place to holiday.

The island currently gets about 450 000 tourists a year, mostly from France. Currently, the island hosts 4 000 South African tourists a year.

“ South Africans required a visa to enter the island before. Now they do not need them anymore.”

There are two direct flights from the OR Tambo International Airport to the island every week. There are plans to increase them and to add flights to Cape Town.

Serveaux said the hardest thing was trying to sell Reunion to travellers who are more likely to visit Mauritius. Reunion Island is about 200km from Mauritius.

Despite their close proximity, at least 80 000 South Africans visit Mauritius a year. “Reunion has beaches, mountains, and an active volcano.” Because of the mix of African and French cultures, the island had a good cuisine.

Daniel Gonthier, president of the national park, said they worked with the Table Mountain national park to boost biodiversity.

The Reunion national park was declared a Unesco heritage site in 2010. The active volcano Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and a major tourist attraction.

Pretoria News

Related Topics: